Associate Editor Jared Paben has worked for Resource Recycling since December 2014. Most of his earlier career was spent as a reporter for the daily newspaper in Bellingham, Wash., but he also has experience working for the Oregon volunteerism commission and for Oregon nonprofits serving low-income populations. He can be contacted at [email protected].
AZEK Company recycles post-consumer polyethylene into its TimberTech brand of composite lumber. | Courtesy of AZEK
AZEK Company has joined several other recycled resin end users in experiencing a softening of demand, resulting in falling sales. Continue Reading
Industry leaders oppose the European Commission’s proposed phase-out of plastics exports, arguing such a move would restrict trade. | European Parliament Multimedia Centre
A branch of the European Union wants to end all exports of recovered plastics within the next four years, a move that would undoubtedly disrupt trade with the U.S. One company leader suggested the impacts could hinge on what the EU decides to consider “waste.”
Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS) recycles over half a billion pounds of plastics, including a large portion of the color HDPE produced by U.S. recycling programs, into pipes, septic systems and other water-management products. | Courtesy of ADS
Economic conditions are taking their toll on two huge end users of recycled plastic, Advanced Drainage Systems and Unifi. Continue Reading
Pierre Beaudry, general manager for NexKemia, and Gilles Venne, director of operations for Eco-Captation, at Eco-Captation’s PS recycling plant. | Courtesy of Nexkemia
Quebec-based petrochemicals company NexKemia has acquired the assets of post-consumer polystyrene reclaimer Eco-Captation. Continue Reading
The Recycling Partnership’s first round of grants is intended to help PET recyclers boost their recovery in the short term and build capacity for the long term. | DonPablo/Shutterstock
Resin company DAK Americas, recycled-content thermoforms producer Direct Pack and MRF operator Recycle Source have become the first three recipients of grants from the PET Recycling Coalition.
The revised lawsuit comes after an Illinois judge in September 2022 threw out many of plaintiff Devon Curtis’ claims. | Tiko Aramyan/Shutterstock
A Chicago resident has filed an amended lawsuit against 7-Eleven, arguing that some of the company’s “recyclable” labeling is deceptive because the products lack resin identification codes. Continue Reading
The seashell-inspired finish is the eighth patented dimensional wood grain pattern from Tangent Technologies. | Courtesy of Tangent Technologies
A major producer of recycled HDPE lumber has rolled out a product with a seashell-inspired wood grain pattern. Continue Reading
Calhoun, Ga.-based Mohawk Industries attributes weak demand for carpet to interest rate increases, high inflation and reduced consumer confidence in the U.S. and Europe. | Casimiro PT/Shutterstock
Flooring market conditions have worsened faster than Mohawk Industries expected, leading to longer-than-anticipated idling of its carpet factories, the company announced. Continue Reading
Half of all plastic packaging could be profitably recycled if improvements are made to its design and to recovery systems, according to a report. Continue Reading
Balcones Resources’ materials recovery facility (MRF) in Austin, Texas is one of a dozen recycling facilities now owned by newly launched company Circular Services. | Jared Paben / Plastics Recycling Update.
Last year’s launch of Circular Services created a new family of varied recycling companies, yet they’re all focused on a circular economy and are fueled with hundreds of millions of dollars in fresh capital.